The New Testament Canon: The Development of the Gospels from Oral Tradition to Sacred Scripture

The New Testament Canon

By Monica Migliorino Miller, Ph.D. · Published by TAN Books

Course Trailer

Overview

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are among the most important works ever written. The rest of the New Testament bears witness to the power of Christ’s life, death, Resurrection, and the reality that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God. But where and when were these books written? Who really wrote them? And how do we know they are the authentic Word of God?

In The New Testament Canon, Monica Migliorino Miller, Ph.D., guides students through the fascinating history, authorship, transmission, and formation of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. With clarity and scholarly depth, Dr. Miller shows how the Church preserved, defended, and formally recognized the inspired writings that continue to form the heart of Christian faith.

This course helps students see Sacred Scripture not as something distant or mysterious, but as a living witness rooted in real people, real history, and the authority of the Catholic Church. By understanding how the New Testament came to be, Catholics can read the Scriptures with greater confidence, reverence, and love.

• Meet the Human Authors: See how ordinary men, transformed by extraordinary encounters with God, helped transmit the Gospel.
• Understand the Canon: Learn how and why the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were compiled and accepted by the Church.
• Explore Major Translations: Study the Septuagint and other influential translations that shaped the Church’s reading of Scripture.
• Confront Early Heresies: Discover how the Church defended the New Testament against Gnostic and other false interpretations.
• Strengthen Your Faith: Deepen your confidence in Scripture as the inspired Word of God entrusted to the Church.

Course Curriculum

• A Tour of the New Testament
• The Septuagint and Other Major Translations
• The Gospels of Matthew and Mark
• The Gospels of Luke and John
• The Reliability of the Gospels
• The Early Threat of Gnosticism
• Irenaeus, Damasus, and the Muratorian Fragment
• Valuable Lessons Learned

Lecture Sample

From the Course

“The New Testament is not an abstract collection of mystical writings, but the inspired witness of real people who encountered the living Christ and handed on the faith of the Church.”

Meet Your Professor

Monica Migliorino Miller, Ph.D., received her doctorate from Marquette University and serves as an associate professor of Sacred Theology at Madonna University in Orchard Lake, Michigan. She teaches in St. Mary’s College of Madonna University, which offers baccalaureate degrees in Sacred Theology, Philosophy, and Polish Studies.

Dr. Miller is also the Founder and Director of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and has spent decades as a Catholic educator, author, and public advocate for the dignity of human life. Her published works include Sexuality and Authority in the Catholic Church, The Authority of Women in the Church, The Theology of the Passion of the Christ, and Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Abortion Wars.

Intended Audience

This course is ideal for Catholics who want to better understand Sacred Scripture, the formation of the New Testament, the reliability of the Gospels, the role of the Catholic Church in preserving the Bible, and the historical foundations of Christian faith. It is especially helpful for homeschool families, catechists, Bible study groups, apologetics students, and anyone who wants to read the New Testament with greater confidence.

FAQs

What does “canon” mean?
The canon refers to the official list of inspired books recognized by the Church as Sacred Scripture.

Does this course explain why there are four Gospels?
Yes. Dr. Miller examines the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, their similarities and differences, and why the Church received them as reliable witnesses to Christ.

Is this course useful for apologetics?
Yes. It helps Catholics answer questions about the reliability of Scripture, the formation of the Bible, and the Church’s role in defending the New Testament from false interpretations.